rb1651
05-24-09, 11:24 AM
Morning all. Memorial Day is upon us, and I would like to personally thank each and every member here that is/was a combat veteran for all of your Service and Sacrifice.
I'm leaving tonight for a week to go to Saltville, VA., to fulfill my best friend and father-in-law's last request. He was an Army Veteran of the Viet Nam War, serving in country with the 101st Airborne. He lost his final battle to cancer on October 29th of last year. I was with him as he was making his final journey, and he asked me to take his ashes back home and spread them on his parents graves.
I will never forget this man. The times we shared together, the teasing we gave each other about our respective service; at times the families thought we were going to kill each other, LOL; but it was all in good fun. I have nothing but repect for this man, and losing him was like losing my own Dad 25 years ago.
My wife and my Mother-in-Law discussed when a good time would be to take him home as we waited for the end to come, and because of his love of our Country, I felt it only appropriate that I would fulfill my mission on Memorial Day. I told Norman this shortly before God called him home, and he smiled at me through his mask, took my hand and pulled me toward his mouth, and said to me, "Thank You, you fukin' Jarhead!", and took his last breath 5 minutes later.
So Norman Gene Poston, USA, tomorrow you will be home. I miss you buddy, and will never forget. :cry:
:iwo:
I'm leaving tonight for a week to go to Saltville, VA., to fulfill my best friend and father-in-law's last request. He was an Army Veteran of the Viet Nam War, serving in country with the 101st Airborne. He lost his final battle to cancer on October 29th of last year. I was with him as he was making his final journey, and he asked me to take his ashes back home and spread them on his parents graves.
I will never forget this man. The times we shared together, the teasing we gave each other about our respective service; at times the families thought we were going to kill each other, LOL; but it was all in good fun. I have nothing but repect for this man, and losing him was like losing my own Dad 25 years ago.
My wife and my Mother-in-Law discussed when a good time would be to take him home as we waited for the end to come, and because of his love of our Country, I felt it only appropriate that I would fulfill my mission on Memorial Day. I told Norman this shortly before God called him home, and he smiled at me through his mask, took my hand and pulled me toward his mouth, and said to me, "Thank You, you fukin' Jarhead!", and took his last breath 5 minutes later.
So Norman Gene Poston, USA, tomorrow you will be home. I miss you buddy, and will never forget. :cry:
:iwo: